The most magnificent road on the island winds past unimaginable views to arrive at a soft, pebble stone beach, where the water is clear, snorkeling superb, and rugged mountains spire above. Cala Tuent exemplifies Mallorcan exceptionalism.
Many flat, sandy coastlines in southern Mallorca make for postcard beach vacations. But Cala Tuent sits in the north, where the Mediterranean Sea crashes into the epic Tramuntana Mountain Range. Here, in the north, Mallorca becomes extraordinary.
When you think of Northern Mallorca, think of mountainous Hawaii, Bali, or Southern Thailand – it is that mind-bogglingly beautiful. Drastic is the discrepancy between crystal clear waters and vertical, craggy cliffsides. You can journey through this rocky landscape on mountain paths that end by lounging beachside below the trails that brought you there. Going to Cala Tuent is why you come to Mallorca; it is the destination within the destination.
Cala Tuent
Basic Information
| Type of Beach: | Black pebble cove |
| Closest Town: | |
| Body of Water: | Cala Tuent |
| Best Hotel: | Ca N’Aina |
Rankings
Mallorqueta Superlatives
Best Beach for Snorkeling
Best Pebble Beach
How to Get to Cala Tuent
The most spectacular road in Mallorca – Ruta de Sa Calobra – leads to Cala Tuent. The road was built with an influx of tourism in mind in the first half of the 20th Century. The twists and turns of the road were designed to highlight the breathtaking views.
Driving
There are two ways to get to Cala Tuent from Palma, both clocking in at just over 1.5 hours. One leads out of Palma on the Ma-11 and takes you through the lovely town of Sóller. Follow it until the Ma-10, which winds up the mountains and past the Gorg Blau reservoir. You’ll take a sharp left at the Orange Juice Man stand just beyond the lake. You are now on the famous Ruta de Sa Calobra. Follow the signs past Sa Calobra to Cala Tuent. Paid parking is available on the road along the northeastern side of the cala.
The other route heads out of Palma on the Ma-13 toward Inca, where you catch the Ma-2130 north through Lluc. North of Lluc, meet up with the Ma-10 that leads to the Ruta de Sa Calobra and on down to Cala Tuent.
TIB Bus
There are no buses to Cala Tuent, but there is a bus stop at a trailhead that leads to Cala Tuent. See below under “Hiking.”
Ferry
Barco Sa Calobra runs roundtrip ferries from Port de Sóller to Cala Tuent every day from the first of April to the end of October. (The same ferry goes on to Sa Calobra after stopping at Cala Tuent). You must call a day ahead (971-630-170) to reserve a spot and ensure the ferry is running. They often cancel the ferries due to wind and waves. Round trip runs 32€ while one way is 21€. Kids from 6-11 are half that price, and children under 5 are free.
Hiking
One of the best hikes on the island leads to Cala Tuent. The Camí de Sa Costera is a 6.2-mile hike, starting just outside Sóller at Mirador de ses Barques and ending in Cala Tuent. The trail is primarily flat or downhill except for one steep but short climb up and over a mountain saddle. You will walk through olive groves and forests and have some of the most stunning sea views imaginable.
To make the day exceptional, take the ferry from Cala Tuent back to Port de Sóller in the evening after the hike. To orchestrate this, I recommend catching the 231 bus from Sóller to Mirador de ses Barques in the morning. You will be able to complete the hike and have a few hours of beach time before the ferry comes to pick you up around 4:45 pm.
Best Hotel: Ca N’Aina
Cala Tuent has no hotels, and you are at least an hour’s drive from the closest town offering hospitality. Ca N’Aina, however, is one of the few vacation homes for rent that sit just above the cala. The renovated home is equipped with modern amenities yet retains the old, rustic appeal of Mallorcan mountain homes. It’s a gorgeous home located in a stunning location and reasonably priced, especially in the off-season.
Cala Tuent Rankings
Natural Beauty: 10/10
Cala Tuent is Mallorca at its finest. Pristine waters lap onto a colorful, pebble beach below the backdrop of The Tramuntana Mountains. It’s an unbeatable scene. Whether your head is above or below the water, you are surrounded by awe-inspiring natural beauty.
Family Friendly: 5/10
Families do not abound at Cala Tuent. Perhaps because the pebbles of the beach do not make for great sandcastles. It is also a long, windy drive to get to Cala Tuent, and with no public restrooms or lifeguards on duty, it can be risky. There is a restaurant (serving overpriced, underwhelming food) and some paddle boards for rent, but all in all, it’s a natural landscape that is not built out for families.
Accessibility & Parking: 5/10
Access is simple once you are parked, but the drive to Cala Tuent is at least an hour from just about any town of departure. Paid parking is relatively abundant along the road but can fill up in summer months. Always go early to popular destinations in Mallorca to beat the crowds.
Space & Crowd: 6/10
Cala Tuent is no secret; I am not the first to boast of its beauty, so do not be fooled by Cala Tuent’s secluded location. Whether hiking, boating, or driving, crowds make it to Cala Tuent, especially on the weekends and in summer.
That said, the beach is large and the swimming area vast, so you can find your own space. In off-seasons (not summer), however, the lengthy travel time to the cala does tend to result in fewer people on the beach.
Activities: 7/10
While Cala Tuent is not built out like a family-friendly resort, there are plenty of ways to enjoy yourself. In summer, a truck pulls up to the cala and offers stand-up paddle board rentals. A dive center – Tuent Adventure – also provides stand-up paddle boards, kayaks, scuba and snorkel gear, and guided diving excursions. In addition, the cala is surrounded by hiking trails, and there are ferry rides to and from its shores.
Swimming: 10/10
The swimming is superb at Cala Tuent. The water is clear, fresh, and tranquil. It is a relatively wide cala so it offers adequate personal space for swimming even on a crowded day. And though many boats choose to anchor in Cala Tuent, they never feel intrusive, especially since the buoys indicating swimming space are placed far from the shore.
Sea Life & Snorkeling: 9/10
Snorkeling at Cala Tuent is pure pleasure. The clear waters and fallen rocks from the mountains make for excellent sea life habitation. As you get further out, the sea floor drops away, and you have deep blue waters in which to dive.
Restaurants & Amenities: 4/10
There is a restaurant at Cala Tuent – Es Vergeret. It is overpriced, and the food is mediocre. I don’t recommend the bland Spanish tortilla or uninspiring pasta Bolognese. But the views are lovely, the beer cold, and it provides if you are hungry after a long hike.
Besides the restaurant, there is a small truck renting SUP boards and the dive school, but no public bathrooms or bars exist.
Nudity: 7/10
I have seen nude swimming and sunbathing in the high-season, but not much. The crowds tend to make people more bashful. However, as the crowds thin in the fall, the cove becomes more of a destination for nude bathing.
Safety: 4/10
In summer, there is no shortage of people at Cala Tuent to help you in case of trouble. But there are no lifeguards on duty, and the drive out of the cove is long, windy, and has the potential to get backed up if there is an accident. The restaurant and dive center can be there for support, but even so, Cala Tuent is a natural destination and needs to be treated with respect to ensure your safety and the protection of its environment.